|
 |
|
|
| Missing In Action (MIA) | Prisoners Of War (POW) | Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) |
| Chronology | Locations | Aircraft | Ships | Submit Info | How You Can Help | Donate |
|
| RNZAF No. 15 Squadron |
Pilot Sgt William J. Thomson, 431108 (MIA / KIA) Clyde, Otago Crashed June 20, 1944 at 1:45pm Aircraft History Built by Vought. Constructors Number 4985. Delivered to the U.S. Navy (USN) as F4U-1A Corsair bureau number 49738. Disassembled and loaded as cargo aboard USS Breton (CVE-23). On April 19, 1944 departed the United States as part of defense aid to New Zealand. Wartime History Assigned to the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) as Corsair serial number NZ5274. On May 5, 1944 reassembled by Unit 60 on Espiritu Santo. On May 25, 1944 assigned to No. 15 Squadron on Guadalcanal. Mission History On June 20, 1944 took off from Bougainville piloted by Sergeant William J. Thomson on a mission over Rabaul. Over the target, this Corsair was hit by anti-aircraft fire and crashed onto a plantation near Talili Bay and exploded on impact at 1:45pm. When this aircraft failed to return it was officially listed as Missing In Action (MIA). Memorials Thomson was officially declared dead the day of the mission. He is memorialized at the Bourail New Zealand War Cemetery (Bourail War Cemetery) on the Bourail Memorial on panel 8. References Navy Serial Number Search Results - F4U-1A Corsair 4985 "49738 (MSN 4985) to New Zealand as NZ5274" ADF Serials - NZ Serials NZ274 CWGC - William James Thomson Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated July 6, 2024 |
 F4U  MIA 1 Missing |
| Discussion Forum | Daily Updates | Reviews | Museums | Interviews & Oral Histories |
|
